Cockatoo Cichlid
Cichlidae sp.
The Cockatoo Cichlid (Cichlidae sp.) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 70 litres (18 US gallons), water held at 72-84°F, and a pH of 6.5-8.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa / South America (varies)
- Africa
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Cockatoo Cichlid Tank Setup
Give them at least 70 litres (18 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 72-84°F and a pH around 6.5-8.5.
What Do Cockatoo Cichlids Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Cockatoo Cichlid Tank Mates
May nip fins; avoid with long-finned or slow tankmates. Predatory; may eat small fish or inverts. The Cockatoo Cichlid is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Cockatoo Cichlids Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Cockatoo Cichlid - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Cockatoo Cichlids need?
Cockatoo Cichlids need a tank of at least 70 litres (18 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Cockatoo Cichlids need?
Keep them at 72-84°F with a pH of 6.5-8.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Cockatoo Cichlids eat?
Cockatoo Cichlids are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Cockatoo Cichlids good for beginners?
Cockatoo Cichlids are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Cockatoo Cichlids
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Cockatoo Cichlids will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Cockatoo Cichlids
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Neon TetraIncompatible temperament or care requirements
